High School/High Tech Program Guide: A Comprehensive Transition Program Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Youth with Disabilities

Introduction

High School/High Tech (HS/HT) is recognized as one of the most successful strategies for assisting youth with disabilities as they transition from high school to post-school activities, including postsecondary education and employment. Over the years, HS/HT has evolved from a small program in a few localities that focused on exposing youth with disabilities to technology-related careers to a comprehensive program of transition services. Through an array of activities identified in the National Collaborative on Workforce and Disability for Youth’s (NCWD/Youth) Guideposts for Success, HS/HT exposes youth with disabilities to careers in science, technology, engineering and math (the STEM careers) and encourage them to pursue postsecondary education to prepare for such careers.

After reviewing over 30 years of research, literature, demonstration projects and promising practices, including the experiences of the early HS/HT programs, NCWD/Youth, in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Disability Employment Policy (ODEP), identified the services and supports outlined in the Guideposts. Thus, the activities, services and supports identified in the Guidepostsare evidence-based and have demonstrated success in improving post-school outcomes for all youth, including youth with disabilities. These activities, services and supports are divided into five categories: 1) school-based preparatory experiences; 2) career preparation and work-based learning experiences; 3) youth development and leadership; 4) connecting activities; and 5) family involvement and supports. The Guidepostshave become the core constructs of the HS/HT programs around the country and are the foundation of the newly released HS/HT Program Guide.

The HS/HT Program Guide: A Comprehensive Transition Program Promoting Careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math for Youth with Disabilities is an updated and much expanded version of the HS/HT Program Manual that was produced in 2003. As HS/HT has spread to numerous states (e.g., CO, DE, FL, GA, MD, MI, MN, OH, OK, PA, SC and TX), the experiences of these programs and the resultant evolution of the HS/HT program from a locally-administered and implemented program to a state-administered and locally-implemented program have produced a wealth of additional information about the HS/HT program model. As a result, the newly released HS/HT Program Guide is full of information and materials used by the HS/HT programs throughout the country. Many thanks to these programs for their willingness to share their experiences, program materials, tips for partnership development, service strategies, activities, curriculum, and success stories, as well as their many examples of systemic change impacting how states and localities approach the provision of transition services. This information can be used by existing HS/HT programs for program improvement and expansion, and by new and developing programs to guide their implementation efforts.